The results from the present study show that MBSR may be a promising non-pharmacological treatment for mental fatigue after a stroke or TBI.

An acquired brain injury often leads to long-lasting mental fatigue, which can have a considerable effect on work and social interactions. Fortunately, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program has been found to alleviate mental fatigue. The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the success of an interactive MBSR program delivered live online to individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury or stroke. We included the following three groups in our study: an Internet group, a face-to-face MBSR group, and an active control group who took weekly walks in natural environments. Thirty-four participants completed the study, and all were suffering from long-lasting mental fatigue after either a traumatic brain injury (16 participants) or a stroke (18 participants). However, seven did not accept to attend an Internet MBSR, and Internet was the only choice for others. We found that, according to the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS), the program leads to significantly reduced mental fatigue in the Internet group compared with the face-to-face and the control group. Individuals in the MBSR groups also exhibited an improved ability to process two temporally close targets (attentional blink task), while this was not detected in the control group. In conclusion, we believe that it is possible for individuals suffering from mental fatigue after an acquired brain injury to obtain positive results through enrollment in a live, interactive, online MBSR program. This is promising, as the Internet is accessible to many individuals, irrespective of where they live. Further randomized control studies comparing are warranted.

No abstract

An increasing number of studies report enhanced well-being for people with chronic diseases after attending an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. The intention with this study was to qualitatively evaluate MBSR delivered live on the Internet for participants suffering from mental fatigue after an acquired brain injury (stroke or traumatic brain injury). The MBSR curriculum was strictly followed and was offered to participants in two groups live on the Internet (n=20) and one face-to-face group (n=12). Open questions were used to evaluate how participants managed to follow the program. Both the face-to-face and the live Internet MBSR groups reported very similar experiences after the program, such as increased awareness of the connection between body and mind, having more energy, experiencing greater clam, having more positive thoughts, and more hope and confidence for the future. Difficult experiences were connected to fatigability. It was primarily the weekly sessions that were strenuous. A sense of belonging to a group and sharing experiences with others was achieved in the live Internet groups as well as in the face-to-face group. In conclusion, the MBSR program can be delivered live online with positive effects for participants who suffer from mental fatigue after an acquired brain injury. However, for mentally fatigued participants, a slight adaption of the MBSR program is suggested.

Long-term psychosocial and emotional difficulties and mental fatigue after stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common and there is a need for rehabilitation and support. Mindfulness can contribute to well-being and can be delivered in groups and also on Internet. The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate whether an eight-month mindfulness program, Train 4 Good, could be successfully delivered live on Internet (10 participants) for participants suffering from long-term mental fatigue after a TBI or stroke. A face-to face group was used for comparison (10 participants). The program Train 4 Good, includes cultivation of the four mental states of the Brahma Viharas; metta/loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity. The Train 4 Good program was designed to enable people suffering from long-term mental fatigue and emotional distress after an acquired brain injury to further explore meditation, enhance well-being and to deepen their meditative practice after having completed a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. Significant improvement in self-compassion (Self Compassion Scale short form) was achieved after the Train 4 Good program. In conclusion, we suggest that it is possible to deliver the Train 4 Good program live on Internet for people suffering from mental fatigue and emotional distress after an acquired brain injury with a similar alleviation of selfcompassion as for a face-to-face group. Mindfulness programs can be a valuable option for rehabilitation after an acquired brain injury when the fatigue and emotional burden can become long-lasting or lifelong. Development of longer mindfulness programs is warranted, since mental health problems only improve slowly and long-term support is requested.